Kettle Run HS guidance counselor to deliver White House Christmas tree

A Kettle Run High School faculty member will be making a special delivery to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on the day after Thanksgiving.

KRHS Guidance Director Sue Harmon will deliver the White House Christmas tree via horse and carriage on Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving. This is the fourth time in eight years her business has been chosen to make the delivery.

“I will be driving the team, and my sister-in-law will be riding with me,” Harmon was quoted as saying in a press release. “We are thrilled to do this each year, and of course from the first time we were asked, we felt it was a huge honor.”

Delivering the tree is no easy task. It takes hours of preparation that actually starts on Thanksgiving day.

“On Thanksgiving day we will get out our sleigh bells and polish the brass bells as well as wash and groom the horses,” Harmon explained. “The morning of the delivery, we will wake up early, get the horses up out of the fields, and I will braid their manes and tails.  This is an extra touch that we do to dress the horses up.”

Then, of course, Harmon has to select her attire.
 
“I don’t have to wear any certain attire, but I do dress formally,” Harmon said. “Usually I would wear my wool great coat and top hat, but since my sister-in-law does not have the same coat, we are opting for a tuxedo jacket with tails, top hat, breeches and boots this year.”

Once they arrive at the White House, they will go through security, hook the horses to the wagon and wait for the music to play.

“We will take our horses to the White House grounds where the tree will already be loaded on a wagon provided by Oxon Hill Farm Park which is part of the National Park Service,” Harmon explained.

The tree is provided by the National Christmas Tree Growers Association, she added.

Harmon’s Hayrides and Carriages is located in Brandy Station, VA. It currently has 18 Belgium horses on the property. In addition to the White House Christmas tree delivery, the company also does parades, weddings, funerals and rides with Santa.

“Whatever you can think of to do with a horse-drawn vehicle, we can probably do it,” Harmon said. “A few years ago we were asked to give a carriage ride to an 8-year old girl with brain cancer.  She wanted to be a princess so the Stillbrave Foundation contacted us and asked if we would be willing to make her dream come true.  This was truly a very special ride for a very special young lady.”

The company also performs South-Asian Groom’s Processions (Baraats), and in 2007 gave carriage rides on the White House grounds for the Congressional picnic. The event is hosted by the President for all the congressmen and senators and their families.

“Our most famous event, however, is the delivery of the White House Christmas Tree,” Harmon said. “It is usually televised around the world. I am really looking forward to once again being part of history and having the opportunity to meet Mrs. Obama.  The excitement of the day is something that I will never forget,” Harmon was quoted as saying in the press release.